Make sure that you cover the following within your evaluation/research paper:

Your external sources and research should help provide support general info. More details about deeper research ideas in the next section:

Awards presented to this film

Background on the cast & crew

Audience & general critical reaction

Examine the hero’s journey and identify which hero (type) is best represented by the lead character(s). *This should also tie in to the understanding of character & story arc and development.

Which Blake Snyder formula best represents the film? Why? Explain and dissect in detail.

Which Universal theme (or life lesson) is best represented in this film?

Evaluate the following in detail:

The script/the narrative/the story

What is the genre of the film (drama, action, comedy, sci-fi, biopic, etc.)? Explain why you feel this way.

Examine the acting.

Did the character(s) experience real change? If so, explain how?

Explore the conflicts and their impact on the character.

Examine and evaluate the technical aspects in detail:

Cinematography/color theory/lighting

Sound design & Musical score

Production/set design

Special visual effects (if used)

What was your overall impression of the film after the detailed evaluation? Why? What were the overall strengths and weaknesses? What grade or report card score would you give this film?

Who is the intended audience for this film? Explain.

What was the director hoping to achieve with this film? Defend your answer.

Do you feel that the critical classification of this being one of the “best-ever” films is warranted (personally)? Defend your answer.

Does the film hold up to our current society (and/or cultural landscape)? Do the themes, messages, characters or storylines still hold relevance? Why or why not? Offer your defense.

Research Expectations (and ideas)

Your final paper should be based on four (4) – six (6) strong sources outside of the film you view (print, online articles, audio, and video sources are acceptable). Do not use Wikipedia. You may use IMBD as a general background source, but you should still add 4-6 more sources. *I may require specific sources on top of these, but will let you know in plenty of time (4.4.19). If you completed the research assignments for “research and annotation week” you have my feedback on these materials in detail.

Each paper will be different based on the research items you’ve gathered, but the following info would be beneficial for your final draft. This could be included in the standalone research section or the combo research/evaluation component. As long as you reference where the original source of reference came from, I don’t have a preference on where you place (some or all of) the following. The following list is for idea generation, and will make your project a much stronger one. I hope this helps:

Was this film original to screen or adapted from another source material? If adapted, spend time sharing info about the original source material (and writer/screenwriter) and the success of the original. Do the same if this is original to screen.

Cultural Impact of film.

Cinematic Impact of film.

Historical Impact of film.

Box Office results & general critical response (positive/negative).

Any important background on the film cast/crew (was this a launching pad for them, was this film at the end of his/her career, what recognitions did they receive for the film, etc.).

Awards for the film (IMBD is solid for this).

Any significant background on the “making of this film?”

If you have interviews with the original filmmakers (which I recommend) – what are some of their thoughts about the film and the impact it has had?

Did this film launch a franchise (if so how many and did they find success)?

Why is this film considered one of the best of all time (this should be a combo of research and personal critical evaluation)?

Any other research items you feel are relevant.

Format and writing expectations:

The paper should be written in APA style throughout your work including in-text citations. There are numerous APA citation generators available online to assist you if needed. You will find detailed support through the Tutoring Center & the Rose Library.

You will also need a bibliography/references page at the end of your paper (APA ) identifying your sources (including the film you view).

12 pt font (Georgia, Times, or Palatino).

Header at the top of your paper (on each page) should include the name of your project, your selected film-study and your name.

Number the pages in the upper right hand corner of each page.

Category headings or subheadings as needed throughout the paper.

Line spacing should be 1.5 or 2.0

The final draft should be submitted in a document file (word, google doc, pdf) and submitted by the deadline via email (NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED). You may additionally choose to load this onto your film blog (WordPress), but that is not the way I want it submitted for grading.

Formatting expectations and Outline Guide

*This is how your final paper should be structured:

Title Page(Adapted APA Format) – Name of paper/project, Name of student, Name of College, Name of Class, Name of Instructor, Semester and Year.

Abstract(details inlink) – In 150-300 words, the Abstract will provide a general summary of the paper including: your topic, purpose of the paper, the research methods & critical evaluation methods you engaged (how did you research and develop your conclusions of study?), your general overview (of your research and critical evaluation), and a short summary of the findings, interpretations and conclusions you found. Remember, this is where you hit the highlights of the paper; your next several pages will offer all the elements in detail (use APA style for subheading).

Introduction and Thesis Statement – The introduction should be one-three paragraphs and should be a set up (or launching pad) for where the paper will take you. Tell the audience what you’re going to be telling them. This is where you catch the attention of the reader and offer a tease for what is to come (use APA style for subheading).

Research & Findings Section -This is where you pull together and share your key research findings that are appropriate and relevant on your topic. This is not the personal evaluation component; that comes next (use APA style for subheading).

Critical Review and Evaluation Section – This is where you will critically explore and analyze everything from Blake Snyder’s story formula, to the Hero’s Journey, to the universal theme, to color theory, character conflicts, and sound design. All areas for you to investigate are listed on the semester project page. The materials that you will examine have been covered within this course previously; you’re ready for this (use APA style for subheading).

***Note: More than likely, there may be components of your research that will show up in the Critical Review and Evaluation Section. That is perfectly OK and expected, just make sure that you use in-text citations to note original thoughts vs. researched thought. But mostly, this section should reflect your personal critical exploration.

*** Note 2: Some of you may find it flows better in your writing style to combine your Research & Findings and Critical Review and Evaluation completely into one section. I’m fine with that as long as there is a clear distinction between original thoughts and researched findings.

Conclusion– These are the combined summary thoughts that you’ve found from research and the critical analysis. This is also your chance to make a final statement in regards to the film’s merit and impact on society, history and the cinematic experience. If you haven’t already proven why this film is considered one of the best of all time, now is your opportunity for a closing statement to make the case.

References in APA format(*Note -this is not the annotated bibliography, these are your references noted in appropriate APA format).

Feb. 18 – Finalize Semester Project Film from the AFI list, and begin background research on the film and the filmmakers.

Feb. 25 – Identify 4 – 6 (four-six) strong research sources for your semester project film (print, online articles, audio, and video sources are acceptable). Do not use Wikipedia. You may use IMBD as a general background source, but you should still add 4-6 more sources. If you need guidance, ask me well before this date. The Rose Library has a variety of research options available.

March 7 –You should have viewed your semester project film by this date and started making detailed research and critique notes.

March 23 – Semester Project Notes – By this point you should be ½ way complete with your semester project including: general film evaluation, character/narrative dissection, fine tuning universal theme(s) understanding and incorporation of research notes into paper. *Note: You may submit your draft to me for feedback at this point.

April 7 – Semester Project Notes – By this point you should be ¾ complete with your semester project including: research overview, film evaluation, character/narrative dissection, universal theme(s) understanding and incorporation of research notes into paper. *Note: You may submit your draft to me for feedback at this point.

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